Democratic Erosion University Course Student Blog

Students enrolled in our course are encouraged to write for the course blog, and to read and comment on posts from students at other participating universities. The blog offers students the opportunity to analyze current events through the lens of the theory and case studies they engage with through the course.

These blogs reflect the views of the student authors, and not those of the Democratic Erosion Consortium.

Syria is not “Stuck Between Systems.” Time is the system.

Understand why the “waiting game” isn’t the answer to political change.

Democratic erosion in Ecuador

Second Blog post On March 6, 2026, Ecuador’s electoral courts ordered the suspension of the country's largest left leaning opposition party, Revolucion Ciudadana (Citizen’s revolution). The party, recognized as the primary opposition of Noboa's right-leaning National...

Pernicious Polarization and the Failure of Resistance in El Salvador

The current state of democracy in El Salvador emphasizes how pernicious polarization destroys the possibility of effective resistance to democratic backsliding, as theorized by McCoy, Rahman, and Somer in "Polarization and the Global Crisis of Democracy." Bukele's...

Syria’s “transition” Is Creating a New Authoritarianism-Not Democracy.

Apr 21, 2026 | Suffolk University

Syria is often referred to as a country in transition. That is deceiving A transition implies progress toward something better—usually democracy. However, Syria's present...

What Peter Magyar’s Win Means for Democracy in Hungary

Apr 21, 2026 | Suffolk University

“We have liberated Hungary and have taken back our country,” said Peter Magyar, announcing his landmark victory against strongman Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Orbán’s...

Is Hungary Still a Democracy? More Than Just Elections

Apr 20, 2026 | George Mason University, Uncategorized

At first glance, a country that regularly holds elections may appear to function as a stable democracy. However, elections alone do not guarantee that democratic principles are being upheld....

Beneath the Surface: The Political Crisis in Greece

Apr 20, 2026 | George Mason University, Uncategorized

How did the birthplace of democracy become a system shaped by political dynasties and corruption? Today, Greece still appears to be a democracy, but beneath the surface, its political system tells a...

Is Democracy Enough? Social Hierarchy and the Limits of Democracy in India

Apr 20, 2026 | George Mason University

In most cases, India is described as the largest democracy in the world. Nonetheless, the mere size of the population is not always a criterion for quality. India holds elections regularly, and it...

The Modern Way to Lose Democracy .What’s Happening in Hungary Right Now?

Apr 20, 2026 | George Mason University, Universities

Hungary is a good example of breakdown countries. The most people think that countries in Europe have democracies that are stable, but Hungary is completely different. During the time, Hungary has...

Why Is Democracy Failing? South Africa’s Long-Term Rule Dilemma

Apr 20, 2026 | George Mason University

After decades of dominance, South Africa’s ruling party has lost its majority and that might be exactly what the country needs. For nearly 30 years, the African National Congress (ANC) has dominated...

Democracy Under Elites: The Political Influence of Monarchy in Thailand

Apr 20, 2026 | George Mason University

Although monarchies were once among the most dominant and widely accepted political systems in history, they are now less common yet often remain powerful and untouchable political institutions that...

Why Democracy Declined in Turkey: The Role of Polarization

Apr 20, 2026 | George Mason University

Hook In the early 2000s, Turkey looked like a promising case of democracy. Many people believed it could become a stable liberal democracy, even in a Muslim-majority country. However, today, Turkey...

A Democracy in Costume

Apr 20, 2026 | American University, Universities

What do you do when your own country tries to fool you? If elections are the heart of democracy, then Venezuela should be heartless. It still holds elections. People still line up to vote....

The Zambian Plot Twist: Citizens who beat dictatorship in the mask of law

Apr 20, 2026 | George Mason University

Forget the tanks! In the 21st century, the most dangerous weapon against democracy isn’t a gun. It’s a law. In a democracy, a "coup" is not the only dangerous thing when armed soldiers show up one...